Parenting and Family Therapy

When working with children, teens, parents and/or families we utilize a multifaceted approach.  Being a parent is the most difficult job you will have.  Sometimes as parents we are not equipped to deal with our children’s experiences in this ever changing world.  At Moments therapy we offer a therapeutic alliance for families and help facilitate productive communication alongside strategies through Family therapy.

What Family Therapy Addresses

• Communication Problems
• Marital Problems
• Financial Issues
• Cross Generational Differences
• Parenting Struggles
• Family Blending
• Divorce Recovery
• Addictions
• Families Outside of the Norm
• A Better Understanding of Healthy Boundaries
• Learn about Family Patterns and Dynamics
• Deeper Empathy for One Another
• Better Problem Solving Skills
• Reduced Conflict
• Reduced Overall Stress
• Bridge Gaps with Isolated Family Members

Approaches Used

• Family-based Behavioral Treatment 
• Functional Family Therapy
• Multidimensional Family Therapy
• Multisystemic Therapy (MST)

Parenting Therapy

Every child responds differently to life changes. Some events that may impact a child or teen’s mental health include:

• The birth of a sibling
• The death of a loved one, such as a family member or a pet
• Physical or sexual abuse
• Poverty or homelessness
• Natural disaster
• Domestic violence
• Moving to a new place or attending a new school
• Being bullied
• Taking on more responsibility than is age-appropriate
• Parental divorce or separation

Teens And Relationships

When children reach adolescence, relationships can cause strife. Platonic and romantic relationships may cause this stress. Relationships between parents and children are crucial to healthy development. But they may become strained by the changes that come with adolescence. For example, teenagers may worry about romantic relationships. Some teenagers become overly stressed by worrying about relationships. This may lead to mental health issues or a lower quality of life.

A poll reports 35% of teens have some experience with dating or relationships. Of this 35%, nearly one third reports being sexually active. Another study reports that a third of teens in relationships will experience abuse from their partner. Intimacy and dating abuse can increase risk of mental health issues, self-harm, and suicide.

Food And Eating Issues In Children And Teens

Social pressures and stress can cause disordered eating in teens. One study suggests these affect almost 10% of young women in the United States. Anorexia and bulimia are two common forms of this condition. In the past it was believed that disordered eating occurred mostly in young women. But it is now known that disordered eating behaviors and related concerns occur in people of all genders. 
Disordered eating can harm physical health and self-esteem. It can lead to malnutrition, self-harm, heart disease, suicide, or starvation. Stay aware of your teen’s eating habits. Be mindful of how you talk about food, nutrition, and weight gain or loss around them. Promote a healthy and positive mind-body relationship. If your teen shows patterns of disordered eating, approach the issue with care. Work with them to find any help they need.

Teen Substance Abuse

Substance abuse can start out as a response to trauma or past abuse. It may also reflect a parent or caregiver’s behavior. Teens are known to experiment with substance use to push boundaries. But this can lead to unhealthy patterns with harmful, lifelong impacts. A 2015 poll reports 17% of high school students drank alcohol (other than a few sips) before age 13. And of the high school students who had smoked cigarettes, 45% said they had tried to quit. Meanwhile, 39% of high school students reported using marijuana at least once. It is important to recognize if a teen is developing an addiction. Once you have done that, you can help address the issue or seek treatment. The sooner substance addiction is addressed, the more effective treatment may be.

If your teen is exhibiting these signs, seek professional help right away.

Signs Of Depression In Teens

• Running away
• Participating in illegal activities
• Drug use
• Failing school: If this is the only problem, tutoring is a start, but talk to the guidance office as well. If there are other problems and this is just a symptom, seek counseling for your teen.
• Sexual acting out
• Self-harm/cutting
• Changes in friends or activities—especially if the friends are into drugs or other illicit activities.
• Eating problems: Have you noticed your teen not eating, overeating, or has she shown signs of purging after a meal?
• Inappropriate anger: Aiming angry feelings towards you or exhibiting violent behavior is cause for great concern.
• Increasing defiance
• Significant changes in mood or behavior